Float



fi pta 20; 1932- H. J. LUFF ETAL FLOAT Original Filed Feb. 16, 1929 Jay 3 s a Rff mw w mam E 0 V T JJ T M 9W Y B Patented Sept. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY J. LULF AND WILLARD J. LUFF, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO; SAID HENRY J. LUFF ASSIGNOB TO SAID WILLARD J. LUFF FLOAT Original application filed February 16, 1929, Serial No. 340,426. Divided and this application filed November 27, 1929.

The present invention relates, as indicated, to a float, and more particularly to a float of certain characteristics, specially designed for use as a valve. The primary object of the invention is to provide a float of the character described which shall be extremely simple and inexpensive in construction and Y which shall yet be unusually efficient in its desired operation. A further object of the 19 invention is to provide a float which shall always present the same surface to a seat with which it cooperates. Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

The present invention is a division of our copending application for floor drain, Serial No. 340,426, filed February 16, 1929.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, con- 20 sists of the means hereinafter fully described view of one form of float constructed in accordance with our invention; and Fig. 3 is a similar View of another form of float.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, it will be seen that We have shown atubular member having an enlarged end 11, said end 11 having a reduced extension 12, and such extension being threaded for the reception of a threaded annular flange 13 secured to a second tubular member 14 by a connecting shoulder 15. Preferably, a separate seat member 16 is secured in place in said member 14 at said shoulder 15.

The enlarged portion 11 of the tube 10 is interiorly provided with guide ribs 17 which cooperate with a float 18 to hold the same in registry with-the seat 16. At the bottom of its travel the float 18 will rest on the inclined surface 16 below the lower end of the Serial No. 410,133.

ribs 17. The engaging edge 19 will thus rest on the surface 16 but not with an absolutely tight seat. Thus 16 may conveniently be described as arresting surface for the float in its lower position. When the float is in the lower position, water coming in from above, in quantities not sufl'lcient to raise the float by buoyancy, will gradually trickle down between 19 and 16, which would not be the case if an absolute seat were made. At the same time the portion of the drain below 16 will be closed so as to stop the circulation of air and to almost wholly eliminate the evaporation of water from any trap or other water seal that may be in the drain.

Such float 18 comprises a substantially hemispherical member 19. In the manufacture of the fioat, an internal bead 20 is formed adjacent the open end of said member 19 and a rigid disc 21 is entered into said memher and located in contact with the outer edge of said bead. A dished member 22 having a concavo-convex nub 23 at its center is then placed in engagement with the outer face of the disc 21, and the projecting edge 24 of that portion 25 of the member 19 which extends beyond the head 20 is bent over into engagement with the rim of the member 22 to hold the same in place. It will be seen that this construction provides a float, the center of gravity of which is so located that such float will always present its hemispherical surface above the surface of a liquid in which it is floating.

In Fig. 3 we have shown in section a type of float 18 which may preferably be formed of bakelite or similar material. This float comprises a substantially hemispherical mem ber 26 having a thickened portion 27' adjacent its open end. Said portion 27 is internally notched at 28 for the reception of a dished member 29 also of bakelite or similar material, and having a coucavo-convex nub 30 at its center. The member 29 may be cemented in place in the notch 28, and this construction likewise provides a float which will always present its hemispherical surface above the surface of the liquid in which it is floating.

Of course it is to be understood that, while the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means he employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. A float comprising a substantially hemisheprical member, an internal bead adjacent the open end of said member, a disc engaging the outer face of said head, and a dished member securely retained against the outer face of said disc.

2. A float comprising a substantially hemispherical member, an internal bead adjacent the open end of said member, a disc engaging the outer face of said bead, and a dished member engaging the outer face of said disc, the projecting edge of said hemispherical member being bent over to retain said dished member in position.

3. A float comprising a substantially hemispherical member. and a second member clos-- ing said first member. said second member being flatter than and-disposed below said hemispherical member, said members having a common geometrical axis of rotation, the major weight of material of said members being disposed to bring the center of gravity of the assembled float on said axis nearer the intersection of said axis with the second member than with the first.

4. A free float adapted to close on a valve seat when moved upwardly, having a hemispherical upper surface and a substantially flatter surface than said hemispherical upper surface closing said hemisphere and disposed therebelow. said float having as its only position of stable equilibrium that in which the axis of rotation of the hemisphere is vertical and the hemisphere is upward.

5. A free float adapted to close on a valve seat when moved upwardly, having a hemispherical upper surface and a substantially flatter surface than said hemispherical upper surface closing said hemisphere and disposed therebelow. the center of gravity of the float being on the polar axis of the hemisphere, the weight of the float being symmetrically disposed about said axis, and the center of gravity being on said axis between the center of buoyancy and the pole of the hemisphere.

6. A valve having an upper seat and lower resting surface and guiding means therebetween, a float in said valve and movable in a vertical line between said seat and said resting surface out of contact with said guides,

HENRY J. LUFF. WILLARD J. LUFF. 

